Support structure for gas blast circuit breaker



June 1955 v. 1. TILLI EIAL SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR GAS BLAST CIRCUITBREAKER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1952 Inventors: Vincent L.TiHiMilton L.

Heintz, by Them Attorney June 21, 1955 v. L. TILL] ET AL 2,711,460

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR GAS BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Feb. 5, 1952 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Vincent L.T'| Hi, Milton L.Heintz, by MW Their Attorney.

United States Patent Office 2,711 ,469 Patented June 21, 1955 SUPPGRTSTRUCTURE FOR GAS BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER Vincent L. Tilli, Philadelphia,and Milton L. Heintz, Broomall, Pa., assignoi's to General ElectricCompany, a corporation of New York Application February 5, 1952, SerialNo. 269,962

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-148) This invention relates to support structure forgas blast circuit breakers and, more particularly, to an improvedarrangement for supporting a circuit breaker, its operating mechanism,and its air receiver, which structure is compact in construction andorganized for maximum reliability of operation.

The invention in one form as applied to a gas blast circuit breakercomprises a rigid support structure including a pair of spaced-apartparallel support frames each having an opening therein, these openingsbeing aligned for receiving with clearance therethrough a cylindricalfluid pressure tank which is suspended with limited resilience from thesupport frames, thereby permitting the tank to breathe without affectingthe efiiciency of associated operating shafts and moving parts. Thebreaker together with its operating mechanism is mounted on or from therigid support structure.

In gas blast circuit breakers it is common practice to utilize an airreceiver for storing air or gas under pressure. Changes in ambienttemperature, in the pressure in the tank, and other factors may causethe contour of the tank to change.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved support structurefor a gas blast circuit breaker, its operating mechanism, and its airreceiver which structure makes it possible for the receiver to expand orcontract without materially interfering with the normal disposition ofthe breaker and its operating mechanism or with the valve operatingmechanism used to control blasts of fluid to the breaker contacts.

The invention will be better understood from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is aside view of a gas blast circuit breaker embodying the invention; Fig. 2is a front veiw of the circuit interrupter shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is anenlarged view of a portion of the blast valve operating mechanism; Fig.4 is an enlarged view in section of a resilient support bracket which issecured both to the support frame structure and to the air tank forsuspending the tank semi-rigidly in position; and Fig. 5 is a view of aportion of the trip-free linkage by means of which closing motion isimparted to the circuit breaker contacts during which the opening-springdevices are charged with energy.

'Jith reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the horizontal upper and lower metalangle bars 1 and 2 and the short and long vertical angle bars 3 and 4form a pair of end supports. As is shown in Fig. 2, horizontal angleties 5, 6, and 7 are interconnected between the long vertical cornerangle-irons 4, while corresponding upper and lower horizontal tie piecesare interconnected between the short vertical corner angles 3. Inaddition, intermediate horizontal tie angles 8 and 9 are interconnectedbetween the long vertical corner angle-irons 4. A diagonal angle strut10 is used to brace the vertical corner angle 4 as is best seen in Fig.1.

Mounted upon the basic supporting framework described above is aplurality of interrupting units generally designated by the numeral 11,an air receiver or tank generally designated by the numeral 12, and asolenoid operating mechanism generally designated by the numeral 13.

Each interrupting unit of the triple pole circuit breaker comprises afixed contact 14 and a movable sickle-type contact 15 which is pivotallymounted at 16 to the terminal member 17 which in turn is secured aboutthe mid portion of the insulating vertical blast conduit 18 which latterdirects pressure fluid to each interrupting unit from the common tank12. Contacts 14 and 15 are disposed within an arc chute structure 19which is supported by a pair of spaced insulating cross arms 20 which inturn are braced by the insulating diagonal struts 21; these arms andstruts being bolted to the basic framework at the horizontal tie angles6 and 8 respectively. Mounted on a platform supported by the cross armsis an insulator 22 which in turn supports a resistor 23. One terminal ofthe resistor 23 is connected by means of conductor 24 to the fixedcontact 14 and, by means of another conductor 25, the other terminal ofresistor 23 is connected to a probe electrode 26 which terminatesadjacent the movable contact 15 within the body of the arc chute 19.Resistor 23 functions to limit the magnitude of the are current and topreclude restrike in known manner during an interrupting operation as isset forth in United States Patent 2,284,842 to D. C. Prince et al. whichis assigned to the assignee of this invention.

Secured to the transverse welded foundation channels of the basicsupporting framework are a pair of support frames 27 and 28 which arebolted to these channels by the bolts 29 so as to be rigidly mountedthereon. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the air receiveror tank 12 is slung within the clearance openings 30 formed in thepaired supporting frames 27 and 23 and is secured therein by the curvedsteel plate semi-rigid support brackets 31 which preferably are weldedto the frame and to the air receiver. Preferably these brackets 31 arearranged in pairs with the brackets of each pair being diametricallydisposed relative to tank 12. The details of the arrangement of thebrackets 31 relative to the frame 27 and the receiver 12 are shown inFig. 4, in section. As is obvious from Fig. 4, support frame 27, (and28) constitutes a central plate web surrounded by a peripheral flangeportion 32.

Mounted on top of the tank 12 are the three blast valves 33 each ofwhich is arranged to control the flow of arc-extinguishing pressurefluid from the air receiver 12 through its associated insulating conduit18.

As is obvious from Fig. l, the air receiver 12 is provided with anaccess opening which is normally sealed by a conventional cover 34. Forpurposes of isolating the tank 12 from its source of air under pressureas from a compressor or master tank, a valve 35, which is preferably ofthe non-return type, is provided.

The operating mechanism 13 supplies the actuating force for closing thecontacts of the breaker and also, at the same time, for charging thesprings for subsequently opening the breaker coincident with the openingof the blast valves. This mechanism as shown in the drawingsincorporates a solenoid winding 36 having a reciprocable armature 37therein. In the unenergized state, the armature 37 rests on cross pieces38 which are affixed to downwardly extending support rods 39. Solenoid36 and its armature 37 are disposed within an en circling magneticstructure 40 which is in turn supported upon appropriate verticalmembers of the basic supporting frame structure.

Energization of solenoid 36 by suitable circuit control means known inthe art imparts upward motion to the armature 37 which in turn impartsclosing movement to the circuit breaker. The operating linkage 42interposed between the motive mechanism 13 and the breaker is shown inFig. from which it will be seen that the armature 37 is provided with aplunger 4-1 which is arranged to drive the linkage 42 upwardly in such amanner as to impart counterclockwise rotation to the output crank 43 ofthe mechanism about its pivot 44. Crank 43 comprises a pair of rigidlyinterconnected arms 43a and 43b extending from opposite sides of pivot44. In Fig. 5 the output crank 43 is shown as having been rotatedcounterclockwise about its pivot 44 into breaker-closed position, thearmature 37 and plunger 4-1 having returned to their normally-withdrawnposition due to the usual deenergization of the solenoid winding 36 whenthe breaker is in closed position. Pivot 44 comprises a square-sectionedshaft which is journally supported in the parallel vertically disposedsupport plates 45" as best seen in Fig. 2; and having outward extensionstherefrom for accommodating the pair of overhung cranks of the openingspring devices thereon which will be described later.

Pivotally connected to the left hand end of the output crank 43 asviewed in Fig. 1 is a connecting rod 46 pivoted at 47 to a switch crank48 which in turn is pivoted at 49 to an insulating operating rod 56which is connected to the movable sickle-type contact 15 at 51. Theswitch crank 48 is rotatable about a fixed center 52 which takes theform of a long square-sectioned shaft extending across the three phasesof the breaker for simultaneous operation thereof; it being understoodthat there are three two-armed bell cranks 58, one for each phase, asindicated in Fig. 2. Thus, having closed the breaker as depicted in thedrawings, it will be appreciated that permitting clockwise rotation ofoutput crank 43 about its fulcrum 44 (due, for example, to tripping ofthe linkage 42), under the opening action of biasing means yet to bedescribed, imparts upward motoin to rod 46 and counterclockwise rotationto the three switch cranks 48 about their common shaft 52, therebyrotating the three contacts 15 about their pivots 16 to cause an openingoperation of the breaker.

The linkage 42 comprises a guide link 53 which is mounted for rotationabout a fixed pivot 54-, a first toggle link 55 and a second toggle link56. Toggle link 55 is pivotally connected with guide link 53 at 57 andtoggle links 55 and 56 are pivotally connected at their knee-joint bypin 53, the output crank or lever 43 being pivotally connected at itsright hand end to the toggle link 56 at 59. A tripping roller 61 isprovided at the pivot 57 and, in holding engagement therewith in thebreakerclosed position is a trip latch 62. A closing roller 63 issupported on the toggle-knee pivot pin 58 for engagement by the solenoidplunger 41 during its energized upward closing stroke; and the rolleralso being engaged by the spring biased prop latch 64, which ispivotally mounted at 65, for holding this trip-free toggle linkage inthe closed, or cocked, position. Thus, with the parts in thebreaker-closed position shown in Fig. 5, tripping of the latch 62 due tocounterclockwise rotation of its trip shaft 66 results in a collapse ofthe linkage mechanism to the left, thereby freeing the output crank 43to rotate clockwise about its center of rotation 44 under the bias ofthe opening means thereby opening the breaker. The opening device of theoperating mechanism comprises a spring 67 which is mounted within eachof a pair of cylindrical enclosures 68 which are pivoted at 69 to theoperating mechanism structure, each spring 67 being disposed about a rod70 and being arranged to exert a downward force on the piston-like disc71 aflixed to the lower end of the rod 70. Thus, when the breaker istripped, springs 67 rotate the crank 43 in a clockwise direction, theextreme motion thereof being limited when the couplings 72 engage theresilient buffers 73. It will be readily understood that these openingspring devices are compressed and charged with energy whencounterclockwise rotation is imparted to the output crank 43 so as toclose the breaker contacts when the closing solenoid 36 is energized.

Controlled opening of the contacts 15 is obtained by means of thespring-dashpot devices 75. These dashpot devices 75, one per phase, areprovided with a piston whose rod 76 is connected to the short arm of theswitch crank 48 at the crosshead pin 47. Fluid-flow control means areprovided for the devices which effectively regulate the contact openingmovement of the contacts 15 so as to permit a fast initial openingmovement followed by a slower movement thereof so as to prevent reboundof the contacts. In addition kickoff springs, not shown, for producingthe fast initial contact separation may be incorporated within devices75 to supplement the breaker opening action of the follow-up springs 67promast valves to impart opening movement thereto against th action ofthe valve-closing springs 80. The normal position of valve operatingshaft 77 and parts associa ed therewith is determined by the stop crank81 whch is secured to the valve operating shaft 77 and wl Lh, through anappropriate adjusting screw, abuttingly es with the stationary stopmember 82 so as to allow the proper slight working clearance, withvalves closed, between the valve tappet cranks 78 and the ends of valvespindles 79.

Clockwise rotation of valve operating shaft 77 as viewed in Fig. l isimparted through crank arm 33 and connecting rod 84 from the bell crank85 which constitutes a member of a latchable valve operating linkage andis pivoted at 86 to the associated fixed structure. it will beunderstood that clockwise rotation of crank 85 results in releasingsimultaneous blasts in the three phases when the main operating shaft 52is rotated counterclockwise during an opening or tripping operation ofthe breaker. The details of the abovementioned blast valve latchableoperating linkage are best shown in Fig. 3. As there shown, a cam-likemember 66 is affixed to the main operating shaft 52, this member comprising a cam surface 60a and a driving abutment 87 which is adapted toengage a corresponding abutment 38 projecting from a pivoted latchmember 89. This latch is mounted between the spaced arms of a carriermemher 9?; which can swing with a parallel motion with respect to thefixed supporting bracket 91 by virtue of the guide links 92 whichparallel the lower portion of the bell crank 35. Bracket 91 comprises anappropriately shaped plate which may be welded to the tank side adjacentthe tank supporting frame 27, as indicated in Fig. 2, and altordssupport for the fixed pivots 93 and 94 for the operating linkage. Thelatch 39 is resiliently coupled to the bridging portion 95 of thecarrier l by virtue of the tie bolt 96 passing through the latchsextension ?7; the compression spring 98 biasing the latch 52 and carrier99 apart to the limit determined by the bolt 96. This limit is suchthat, when the mechanism 13 is tripped to open the breaker with theconsequent counterclockwise rotation of the main shaft 52, the camabutment 87 will immediately engage the latch abutment 3%, therebydriving the parallel linkage generally downward about the fixed pivots93 and 94. This downward drive upon the linkage causes clockwiserotation of the crank 85 which results in clockwise rotation of thevalve operating shaft 77 which in turn results in simultaneous openingof the three blast valves. Continued rotation of cam member 64) causesits abutment 87 automatically to ride oif the abutment 38 so that theparallel linkage is unlatched, reverses its motion, and resets to itsinitial position under the action of the valve springs so that the blastvalves reclose prior to the termination of the breaker opening stroke.

Conversely, closing of the breaker by means of solenoid as and itsarmature 37 produces clockwise rotation of the main-shaft 52 and of thecam-like member 6! whereupon the cam surface dda encounters the latchabutment Since the latch 39 is yieldably mounted relative to the carrierMl, it is merely momentarily depressed by cam surface pile and finally,due to the spring 98, reassurnes its initial latching relationship withrespect to the cam 65 i. e., as indicated in Pig. 3 with a slightclearance distance existing between the latching abutments S8 and 87.

it will be observed that the bearings 99 for the main operating shaft52, and the bearings idd for the valve operating shaft '77, are mountedon and securely bolted to the peripheral flanges 32 of the pair ofsupporting frames 27 and 2 3 which, as already pointed out, are rigidlymounted upon the basic frame structure of the apparatus.

Because the air tank 12 is connected to and supported from these framesonly through the semi-rigid curved lugs 31, it follows that anybreathing of the tank, or slight distortion thereof due to varying ortransitory pressure differences, is not communicated to these bearingssuch as might impair the mechanical efiiciency of the breaker movingparts.

While We have described a particular embodiment of our invention, we donot wish to be limited thereto and intend in the appended claims tocover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. An electric circuit breaker comprising support structure including apair of rigidly mounted frames disposed in spaced substantially parallelrelationship, each of said frames having an opening therethrough, theopenings being aligned with each other, a plurality of interruptingunits mounted from said structure, each of said units including a pairof separable contacts, an air receiver disposed within said openings andhaving clearance space relative thereto, a plurality of semi-rigidsupport bracket; afiixed to each of said frames and to said receiver forsupporting said receiver in position, a separate conduit leading fromsaid receive to each pair of said contacts, a valve in each of saidconduits for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, a valveoperating shaft rotatably mounted on said frames and operably relatedwith all of said valves, and means for imparting rotary motion to saidvalve operating shaft to cause operation of said valves.

2. An electric circuit breaker comprising support structure including apair of frames disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship,each of said frames having an opening therethrough, the openngs beingaligned with each other, a plurality of interrupting units mounted onsaid structure, an air receiver disposed Within said lurality ofsemi-rigi support brackets attuned to eac of said frames, said bracketsbeing arranged in pa' 3 with the brackets of each pair secured to saidreceiver at diametrically disposed positions thereon for supporting saidreceiver in position, a separate conduit leading from said receiver toeach of said interrrupt 1g units, a valve in each of said conduits forcontrolling the flow of fluid therethrough, a valve operating shaftrotatably mounted on said frames and operably related with all of saidvalves, and means for imparting rotary motion to said valve o cratingshaft to cause operation of said valves.

3. An electric circuit breaker comprising support structure including apair of frames disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship,each of said frames having on opening therethrough, the openings beingaligned with each other, a plurality of interrupting units mounton saidstructure, each of said units including a pair separable contacts, anair receiver disposed within s .id openings, a plurality of semi-rigidsupport brackets attired to each of said frames, said brackets beingarranged in pairs with the brackets of each pair secured to saidreceiver at diametrically disposed positions thereon for supporting saidreceiver in position, a separate conduit leading from said receiver toeach pair of said contacts, a valve in each of said conduits forcontrolling the flow of fluid therethrough, a valve operating shaftrotatably mounted on said frames and operably related with all of saidvalves, a main operating shaft :1 on said frames, said main shaft beingoperably ed with said contacts and with said valve operating shaft, andmeans mounted on said support structure for imparting operating motionto said main operating shaft.

4. An electric circuit breaker comprising support structure including apair of frames disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship,each of said frames having an opening therethrough, the openings beingaligned with each other, a plurality of interrupting units mounted onsaid structure, each of said units including a pair of separablecontacts, an air receiver disposed within said openings, a plurality ofsemi-rigid support brackets affixcd to each of said frames, saidbrackets being arranged in pairs with the brackets of each pair securedto said receiver at diametrically disposed positions thereon forsupporting said receiver in position, a separate conduit leading fromsaid receiver to each pair of said contacts, a valve in each of saidconduits for controlling the fiow of fluid therethrough, a rotatableoperating shaft mounted on said frames and operably related with each ofsaid valves and pairs of contacts, and means for imparting rotary motionto said operating shaft to cause operation of said valves and contacts.

openings, a

References in the tile of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 2,232,154Bakken May 5, 1942 2,342,809 Ludwig et al. Feb. 29, 1944 2,444,765Boisseau et a1. luly 6, 1948 2,473,892 Ludwig et al. June 21, 1949

